Anything Goes Redux

I still can't believe I got to return to Anything Goes, the first "real" musical I was ever in, my Freshman year in high school, a show I love so very deeply, a show I really never thought I could produce with New Line... until I wrote about it a few years ago and I realized it's actually a fierce, craftily built sociopolitical satire, not just a silly excuse for great songs and tap dancing.

And whether it was the context -- seeing the show at New Line, a company known for sociopolitical content -- or the choices we all made in creating the production (most likely it was both), our audiences saw Anything Goes through fresh eyes, and saw for the first time the wicked genius of its satire. Maybe it was also the difference between seeing the tour at the Fox and sitting six city blocks from the actors, versus seeing our production at the Marcelle, where there are only seven rows and you walk across the stage to get to your seats.

A lot of people -- I mean, a LOT -- told us this was the best and funniest Anything Goes they'd ever seen. And it was in a blackbox with a cast of sixteen and a six-piece band! And all we did to the show was take its text, its characters, its story, and its themes seriously. And the result was high, pointed hilarity. Our reviews were extraordinary, we sold out most of the run, and we couldn't have asked for a more enthusiastic response from our audiences.

So here's my quirky thank-you to our cast, musicians, and staff, and also to Cole Porter and all the various writers who contributed to the brilliant 1962 version of the show we had the great privilege of working on. It's really amazing material.

(with apologies to Mr. Porter...)

Times have changed,
But be honest, not all that much;
We've evolved, yeah, but just a touch;
We're still hypocrites, drunks, and such.
But today,
Ol' Cole Porter could freely cuss;
'Stead of writing 'bout planes and coke,
Cole might write his songs 'bout us!

When this old show, with New Line helming,
So freaky and overwhelming,
Gets standing O's,
Anything Goes!

When Aaron Allen un-retires
To play Mooney, who inspires
Great big Ho-Ho's,
Anything Goes!

What raving reviews for us,
Who enthuse for us!
How they raved for us!
So depraved for us!
And our audience
Ain't been so bawdy since
Jerry Springer had to close!

When we have two Nic(k)s, one Larissa,
Three Sara(h)s, an Erin, Aaron, Alyssa
Knows
Anything Goes!

[dance break]

When Even gets enthusiastic
And breaks all the wood and plastic,
And front two rows,
Anything Goes!

When Miss Colene can come design for us,
So Sarah P. can shine for us
In our shows,
Anything Goes!

We gave them great gags galore
Till their sides were sore;
Also intellect
They did not expect;
So surprised, in fact,
That all our actors act,
Like in more "serious" shows.

The New Liners are fierce -- don't cross 'em!
And Anything Goes was awesome,
'Cause New Line knows
Anything Goes!
Anything!
Anything!!
Anything Goes!!!

Thanks for such an amazing run, St. Louis! And my deep, deep thanks to our actors, musicians, designers, staff, and my intrepid co-director Mike Dowdy-Windsor. What a freaking joy it has been. Now on to Yeast Nation!

Long Live the Musical!
Scott